Dehradun, 14 June 2026 — In a moment that symbolises the enduring spirit of service in the Indian Armed Forces, Junior Under Officer Prannay Chhabra was commissioned as a Lieutenant on 13 June 2026 during the Passing Out Parade of the Spring Term at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun. As he received his commission, Lieutenant Prannay Chhabra became part of a distinguished four-generation military legacy that began in the British Indian Army and continues unbroken in the modern Indian Army.
The commissioning of Lieutenant Prannay Chhabra stands out not merely for the rarity of fourth-generation officers, but for the conscious choice he has made to carry forward a tradition of sacrifice, discipline and honour in an era of expanding civilian opportunities.
From NDA to IMA: The Making of an Officer
Lieutenant Prannay Chhabra is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla. After successfully completing his training at the NDA, he joined the Indian Military Academy for the final phase of his pre-commission training. At the IMA, he rose to the position of Junior Under Officer, a testament to his leadership qualities and performance during the rigorous course.
On 13 June 2026, along with his course mates of the Spring Term, he marched out of the historic Chetwode Hall as a commissioned officer of the Indian Army. The Passing Out Parade marked the culmination of years of disciplined training and the beginning of his journey as a leader of men in uniform.
A Legacy Spanning Four Generations
The story of the Chhabra family’s military service is one of remarkable continuity across nearly a century.
It began with Captain Gopaldas Banga, Lieutenant Prannay Chhabra’s great-grandfather, who served as a doctor in the British Indian Army Medical Corps. Captain Banga participated in the Second World War, serving in Egypt during the North African campaign. Indian medical units, including those to which he belonged, supported formations such as the 4th and 5th Indian Divisions under the British Eighth Army.
The baton then passed to his grandfather, Lieutenant Colonel Arjun Dev Chhabra (Retd), who served in the Ordnance Corps. In this critical role, he ensured that fighting formations never lacked the tools of war. Recognising the changing character of the Indian Army after Independence, Lieutenant Colonel Arjun Dev Chhabra actively motivated both his sons to join the National Defence Academy, thereby steering the family legacy from the medical and ordnance streams into the combat arms.
Lieutenant Prannay Chhabra’s uncle, Lieutenant Colonel Naveen Chhabra (Retd), served with distinction in the Regiment of Artillery, further strengthening the family’s operational credentials.
The legacy now rests with Lieutenant Prannay Chhabra’s father, Major General Praveen Chhabra, VSM, a serving General Officer of the Armoured Corps. Major General Praveen Chhabra has held several prestigious appointments, including General Officer Commanding 20 Mountain Division, Inspector General (Operations) at the National Security Guard (NSG), and General Officer Commanding 72 Sub Area in Ladakh. His distinguished service has been recognised with the Vishisht Seva Medal.
“The Stars He Wears Are Not Just Rank, But Responsibility”
The Army Training Command (ARTRAC) issued a special tribute on the occasion, highlighting the deeper significance of this commissioning:
“Born into a family where the uniform is more than attire, it is identity… The stars he wears are not just rank, but they are more of a responsibility. His journey reminds every young aspirant that a true legacy is not preserved by memory alone, it is renewed by action. He marches with four generations behind him and countless warriors ahead who will one day draw inspiration from his name.”
ARTRAC further observed that what makes Lieutenant Prannay Chhabra’s story remarkable is not merely continuity, but conscious choice. In choosing the honourable profession of arms, he has embraced the path that demands grit over glamour and courage over comfort.
An Inspiration for Defence Aspirants
Stories of multi-generational military families hold special resonance for young men and women preparing for the NDA, CDS, AFCAT and Services Selection Board examinations. Lieutenant Prannay Chhabra’s journey underscores that legacy in the armed forces is not inherited passively — it is actively renewed through personal conduct, professional competence and unwavering commitment to the nation.
While second- and third-generation officers are relatively more common in the Indian Army, fourth-generation service remains uncommon, and fifth-generation cases are rarer still. Each generation that chooses to serve reinforces the values of duty, honour and selfless service that form the bedrock of the Indian military ethos.
As Lieutenant Prannay Chhabra begins his career, he carries not only the proud heritage of his family but also the expectations of a nation that looks to its officers for leadership, integrity and courage. The uniform he now wears represents both a privilege and a profound responsibility — one that he has inherited and must now uphold in his own right.
The commissioning of Lieutenant Prannay Chhabra on 13 June 2026 is more than the passing out of one officer. It is the continuation of a living tradition of service that has endured across generations and continues to inspire the next.
